Welcome to Fast Five: Rapid-fire, insightful interviews with GS students and alumni!
After more than 15 years shaping images behind the scenes as a celebrity stylist and brand strategist, Laura Jones ’25GS found herself ready for a new kind of transformation.Her growing interest in sustainability and technology—and a GS roommate who shared so much about her coursework—led her to GS!
As a sustainable development major, Jones served as Peer Advisor while continuing her consulting work on the side. Now, ever grateful for her time at GS, she is the founder of her own image consulting practice, designed to help women align identity and appearance in moments of professional or personal transition. Reflecting on her time in GS, Jones shares what it was like to “re-transition” to learning after so many years away and gives thoughtful advice to anyone looking to jumpstart a strategic communications career!
What is your GS story in one sentence?
One of my first room mates when I moved to New York was a GS student, and after many late-night conversations discussing her coursework (and finally attending her graduation) I knew I had to go to GS myself.
What was it like transitioning from celebrity and brand stylist to studying at Columbia?
I hadn't been a student for a long time so the biggest transition was re-learning how to learn. It took me a few semesters (and some trial and error) to figure out how to become a student again, but once I found my learning style I could barely remember not being a student.
What is a stand-out memory from your time as a GS student?
In my third year I became a GS Peer Advisor. That role deepened my connection to the GS community, and gave me a richer appreciation of its uniqueness in a way that was very fulfilling.
How do you continue to stay involved with Columbia communities after graduating?
I am a very recent graduate and am actively looking for opportunities to stay engaged and mentor GS students.
What advice would you give to a recent GS alum hoping to start a career in communications and brand strategy?
My own path to communications and brand strategy began in celebrity styling, but I realized much of my work was actually strategic communication on behalf of clients. That recognition helped me to pivot into more explicitly communications-focused roles. It is likely that you have experience that is very relevant to communications, even if you haven't thought of it as such, and can be highlighted in resumes and in coffee chats with potential employers. To that point, my other advice is talk to as many people as possible in the field that you want to go into so that you understand what employers and colleagues value, mistakes to avoid, and also help you see how your background makes you a strong candidate.
